@article{NeffeLoebusZaupaetal.2011,
  author    = {Neffe, Axel T. and Loebus, Axel and Zaupa, Alessandro and St{\"o}tzel, Christian and M{\"u}ller, Frank A. and Lendlein, Andreas},
  title     = {Gelatin functionalization with tyrosine derived moieties to increase the interaction with hydroxyapatite fillers},
  series = {Acta biomaterialia},
  volume    = {7},
  journal   = {Acta biomaterialia},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {1742-7061},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.actbio.2010.11.025},
  pages     = {1693 -- 1701},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Combining gelatins functionalized with the tyrosine-derived groups desaminotyrosine or desaminotyrosyl tyrosine with hydroxyapatite (HAp) led to the formation of composite materials with much lower swelling ratios than those of the pure matrices. Shifts of the infra-red (IR) bands related to the free carboxyl groups could be observed in the presence of HAp, which suggested a direct interaction of matrix and filler that formed additional physical cross-links in the material. In tensile tests and rheological measurements the composites equilibrated in water had increased Young's moduli (from 200 kPa up to 2 MPa) and tensile strengths (from 57 kPa up to 1.1 MPa) compared with the matrix polymers without affecting the elongation at break. Furthermore, an increased thermal stability of the networks from 40 to 85 degrees C could be demonstrated. The differences in the behaviour of the functionalized gelatins compared with pure gelatin as a matrix suggested an additional stabilizing bond between the incorporated aromatic groups and the HAp as supported by the IR results. The composites can potentially be applied as bone fillers.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{TartivelBehlSchroeteretal.2012,
  author    = {Tartivel, Lucile and Behl, Marc and Schr{\"o}ter, Michael and Lendlein, Andreas},
  title     = {Hydrogel networks based on ABA triblock copolymers},
  series = {Journal of applied biomaterials \& functional materials},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Journal of applied biomaterials \& functional materials},
  number    = {3},
  publisher = {Wichtig},
  address   = {Milano},
  issn      = {2280-8000},
  doi       = {10.5301/JABFM.2012.10295},
  pages     = {243 -- 248},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Background: Triblock copolymers from hydrophilic oligo(ethylene glycol) segment A and oligo(propylene glycol) segment B, providing an ABA structure (OEG-OPG-OEG triblock), are known to be biocompatible and are used as self-solidifying gels in drug depots. A complete removal of these depots would be helpful in cases of undesired side effects of a drug, but this remains a challenge as they liquefy below their transition temperature. Therefore we describe the synthesis of covalently cross-linked hydrogel networks. Method: Triblock copolymer-based hydrogels were created by irradiating aqueous solutions of the corresponding macro-dimethacrylates with UV light. The degree of swelling, swelling kinetics, mechanical properties and morphology of the networks were investigated. Results: Depending on precursor concentration, equilibrium degree of swelling of the films ranged between 500\% and 880\% and was reached in 1 hour. In addition, values for storage and loss moduli of the hydrogel networks were in the 100 Pa to 10 kPa range. Conclusion: Although OEG-OPG-OEG triblocks are known for their micellization, which could hamper polymer network formation, reactive OEG-OPG-OEG triblock oligomers could be successfully polymerized into hydrogel networks. The degree of swelling of these hydrogels depends on their molecular weight and on the oligomer concentration used for hydrogel preparation. In combination with the temperature sensitivity of the ABA triblock copolymers, it is assumed that such hydrogels might be beneficial for future medical applications -e.g., removable drug release systems.},
  language  = {en}
}